Diatomaceous Earth... When, how, and if I should use it in my coop and run.

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

First off, sorry if I didn't put this in the right section, I didn't really know where I should post this thread...
So a long while ago, when I first got chickens, I got some Diatomaceous Earth to put in my homemade feed, which I didn't end up doing, and now I have unused Diatomaceous Earth. I'm not 100% sure whether or not it is food grade, but it is supposed to be used on farm animals. I have heard that it is good for keeping mites away, but I have also heard that it is bad for their lungs. I am thinking that it is probably only bad for them if I use too much or use it in the wrong way. One way I have heard of people using it is inside their coop, to keep mites away. I want to use it up, but in a productive and safe way. I don't want to waste it or hurt my hens. How should I go about using it? What are the different uses and methods? My coop bedding is shavings from TSC, do I put Diatomaceous Earth on that to help keep it clean? How often should I use it? I kind of have a dust bathing spot (I put sand inside an old tire), should I put Diatomaceous Earth into that? Would it be helpful at all to my hens health if I just sprinkled Diatomaceous Earth around their run to help keep mites away? The run floor is just the natural dirt, which is quite rocky.
These are all just wild guesses for ways to use it, as I stated above, I have never used it, nor do I know how to use it, so any tips is greatly appreciated!

 

[cavemanrich]

Let me give you my opinion and advice on using DE.
Yes, what you read about bad things is true. Also DE is not effective once it gets wet. it no longer kills the mites. (or other insects) Under a microscope, it looks like crushed glass. It works on the insects by cutting thru the exoskeletal layers. (rather than a toxin to ingest)
This is how I use it.
I sprinkle a thin layer of DE on cleaned dry coop floor. I then sprinkle a thicker layer of Sweet PDZ, on top of DE. About ½ inch deep layer. I then apply my bedding of choice on top of PDZ. I use Hay, but pine shavings also work well.
Always use a Mask respirator during application of DE to protect YOU LUNGS.
I know that minute quantities of DE that do get airborne are not all that dangerous. Otherwise it would not be sold to the general population.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,